Online banking used to keep track of Christmas spending

One in seven active online banking customers checked their bank account on Christmas Day, according to Halifax.

The high street bank said that over 675,000 (14 per cent) active Halifax online banking customers logged on to their bank account on 25 December this year, up from 12 per cent on the previous year.

Mobile banking top trend of 2016?

Whilst that figure may not set the world of online banking alight, (although an increase no matter how small is still something to bear in mind), what is very interesting is the fact that nearly 70 per cent checked their bank accounts using a mobile device, whilst another eight per cent used a tablet.

This means that only under a quarter of active online banking customers used, what can now quite comfortably be described as a ‘good old-fashioned’ computer.

The Halifax customers that did log on appeared to be doing so with the full intention of keeping track of the cost of Christmas, with many looking to manage their finances as early as possible. Just under 90,000 customers took the opportunity to make a payment on Christmas Day, while 60,000 transferred funds to another account.

As early as possible

The peak online activity hours were between the hours of 11am and midday when the majority of people logged on or paid a bill/transferred money.

“As mobile banking grows we’ve seen an increase in the number of people checking their finances, with many people now logging in on a daily basis.19% of our mobile banking customers log on five or more times per week. With Christmas being such an expensive time of year, the ease of access provided by online banking means that people are taking the opportunity to start sorting their festive finances even earlier,” said Nick Williams, consumer digital director.

Young blood

Just under half (45 per cent) of customers logging on to their account on Christmas Day were under 30 years of age, with 41 per cent 31-50, and 15 per cent over 50.

“Either side of Christmas Day was also busy for online banking. On Christmas Eve, 1.3 million people logged on to check their balance. With people out and about making last minute purchases or going out to socialise with friends and family, 67% used a mobile device to log on, perhaps to check how much they had left,” the bank said in a statement.

On Boxing Day, the traditional launch of the high street sales, also saw one million people logging on to check their balances.